LEXINGTON, Mass., June 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A study
published in Cancer Cell reports on a novel discovery made by
Agenus Inc. (NASDAQ: AGEN) that may enhance the immune activity of
cancer fighting antibodies, including those targeting CTLA-4.
Agenus has applied this discovery to its proprietary next
generation anti-CTLA-4 antibody (AGEN1181) on track for IND filing
in 2H2018.
The pre-clinical study reports on a unique mechanism discovered
by Agenus, that can significantly improve the biological and
immunological activity of certain cancer fighting antibodies, such
as those targeting CTLA-4 and TIGIT. These findings provide the
foundation for developing "next generation" (next-gen) antibodies
designed to improve performance and expand clinical benefit. Agenus
has already employed this novel discovery to make next-gen
monospecific and bispecific antibodies that are on target for IND
filings this year and early next year.
"We have discovered a new mechanism involving a key portion of
antibodies that modulates biological function and cancer fighting
abilities," said Dr. Jeremy Waight,
Principal Scientist at Agenus and lead author of the study. "Based
on our discovery, we can modify this region, known as the Fc
region, to significantly improve an antibody's biological activity,
by improving its immunological activity. We have already
applied this discovery to our next generation anti-CTLA-4 antibody
as well as other monospecific and bispecific antibodies in our
pre-clinical pipeline and observed dramatic improvement in immune
responses and anti-tumor activity."
Specifically, the research team demonstrated that a change in
the Fc region can significantly improve the cross-talk between two
immune cell types, such as antigen presenting cells (APCs) and T
cells. This modification in the Fc region increases the duration
and strength of interaction between the immune cells. In cancer
immunotherapy, such an interaction is necessary to mount a potent
immune response against cancer.
"These findings are at the core of our next-generation antibody
programs, which have moved at an incredible speed from the drawing
boards to being clinic ready in about 15 months, a testament to our
strategy built on innovation and speed," said Alex Duncan, PhD, Chief Technology Officer and
Head of Research. "These findings provide a foundation for
developing best-in-class antibodies optimized to improve response
rates and durability of response for patients with cancer."
For more details please see the publication here
https://www.cell.com/cancer-cell/fulltext/S1535-6108(18)30219-8.
About Agenus
Agenus is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company focused on
the discovery and development of therapies that engage the body's
immune system to fight cancer. The Company's vision is to expand
the patient populations benefiting from cancer immunotherapy by
pursuing a number of combination approaches that leverage a broad
repertoire of antibody therapeutics and proprietary cancer vaccine
platforms. The Company is equipped with a suite of antibody
discovery platforms and a state-of-the-art GMP manufacturing
facility with the capacity to support early phase clinical
programs. Agenus is headquartered in Lexington, MA. For more information,
please visit www.agenusbio.com; information that may be important
to investors will be routinely posted on our website.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are
made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the federal
securities laws, including statements regarding the Company's
planned IND filings and the enhanced function of certain antibodies
in the Company's pipeline. These forward-looking statements are
subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among
others, the factors described under the Risk Factors section of our
most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Annual Report on Form
10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Agenus
cautions investors not to place considerable reliance on the
forward-looking statements contained in this release. These
statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and
Agenus undertakes no obligation to update or revise the statements,
other than to the extent required by law. All forward-looking
statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this
cautionary statement.
Contact:
Agenus Inc.
Jennifer Buell, PhD
781-674-4420
Jennifer.Buell@agenusbio.com
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SOURCE Agenus Inc.